Hannes Soomer produced a hugely impressive debut ride in the Suzuka 8 Hours by helping TONE RT Syncedge 4413 BMW to victory in Japan’s round of the Dunlop-equipped FIM Endurance World Cup last month.
Partnering Japanese riders Tomoya Hoshino and Ainosuke Yoshida, the Estonian was a Suzuka novice prior to testing on the Wednesday before the event. But the 26-year-old shrugged of his lack of experience of the iconic 5.821-kilometre track to win the Superstock section of the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race.
As far as strong debuts go your Superstock victory in the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race must be right up there?
“I didn’t do the pre-test in June because it was just before the IDM round we had in Most so I missed the test, came here on Tuesday and ended up here on the podium. I’d never ridden the track, only on a car simulator. Every motorcycle racer wants to be on this podium. Of course, we are Superstock so it’s the first step but the dream is to be on the top step instead of Johann Zarco one day. To do it the first time coming here, I’m very, very happy.”
You impressed during the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans in April but how did your agreement to compete in the Suzuka 8 Hours come together?
“I have to say thanks to BMW to be here. They made the introduction, but it was not easy for the team to commit when they don’t know the rider. The team is amazing, they are Suzuka specialists. Although the bike is a Superstock BMW, to ride it feels very different to what I use in Europe. I trusted them and in the end it paid off with a good base until the end of the race.”
How straightforward was the race?
“We had to change one part in the middle of the race but other than that it was a very trouble-free race. The bike seemed like it was prepared to do exactly eight hours because in the last two laps I started to have a second neutral between fifth and sixth but we were lucky and we had the margin to go safe to the finish. The temperature was also quite bad, the dehydration was the problem, but the team had really good specialists for this who tell me when to eat, what to eat, when to drink, what to drink. The first stint was the hardest, the second stint was easier and then it continued like this.”
Were you fully recovered following your crash at Le Mans?
“It was an unlucky crash at Le Mans. The collarbone wasn’t broken but the ligament attaching to the collarbone was injured but now it’s starting to be fine. When you injure any part of your body you lose some strength in this area but other than that it’s no problem.”
It’s been a busy period for you recently but what’s next for you?
“I have also been busy finishing my Masters in Mechanical Engineering and Product Development, I have this done now and I can fully focus on racing. The plan is to do Bol d’Or the same like at Le Mans, I will do the week with the factory BMW guys and help them how I can and probably help Tecmas in the race. But winning my class in Suzuka is definitely up there with my achievements so far.”
The all-action 2024 EWC season concludes at Circuit Paul Ricard in France from 12-15 September with the famous Bol d’Or 24-hour race.
